Combination foundation garment



- July 31, 1934.

v. M. EATMAN COMBINATION FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed June 9, 1932 Patented July 31, 1934 COMBINATION FOUNDATION centralina' viola Marlow Tuscaloosa, Ala..

Application. Juno 9,1932, serial No. 616,312

6Clalms.

'Ihe present invention is an undergarment, commonly known as a foundation garment, worn by women, and has for its object improved andnovel features of construction which will cause the garment to give the human body a youthful and graceful appearance, while at the same time permitting perfect comfort and' freedom of movement.

With the above and other objects in view, the

l0 invention consists in novel features of construction,A combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the appended claims. In the accompanying drawing is illustrated the foundation garment of the present invention, as

at present devised, and in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the garment as Worn;

" Figure 2 is a rear perspec ment as worn; f

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken-substantially on line 3 3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on line i-4of Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the reenforcing stay used in the garment.

The garment of the present invention, when worn, ts snugly about the body of the person, illustrated in the drawing.. but, due to its co struction, permits free movement of the body to all positions, without causing any discomfort or hindrance of said movements, while at the same `time preventing the garment from slipping out. of its proper position on the body.

The garment consists of a corset portion 10, having front and rear panels a andb which are designed to encircle the waist portion of the wearer from a point below the bust to the hips. This corset portion is made up of relatively non- 40 stretchable fabric, such as a woven textile of cotton, silk, or the like. 'Ihe upper edge of the front panel a is cut away to fit under the base Oi' the breast and conform to the outline thereof. To this end, said upper edge has a central or inter--l tive view of the gar- ,45 mediate upstandingtapering tongue 11, designed to extend between the breasts, while its lower edge is formed with a gradually tapering central or intermediate projection 12, extending for a distance below the crotch of the wearer, and from which depend garter supporters 13. The side edges 14 of said projection 12 are designed to ex-- tend in a curve from the hip of the wearer and to approximately follow the lower lines of the abdomen.

A brassire 15 is attached tothe upper edge of asf under the shoulder bla (ol. H7)

the panel a and iscomposed of a soft fabric or cloth, and of suitable fullness to provide pockets to receive and fit over the breasts of the wearer. Shoulder straps 16 are secured to the upper edge of each pocket and also to the upper edge of the back panel\b, and preferably have elastic end portions 16a detchably secured to the brassire and to the -panelb in any suitable' manner, such as by llittons and button holes, hooks and eyes, or the e. The front panel a is reenforced with vertical stays which may be disposed in any convenient manner, but are shown preferably as being three in number, one 17 extending from y.the upper end of the projection l11 downwardly to the ex- 70 tremity of the projection 12 of the panel a, the other two stays 17a and 17h being disposed on each side thereof and arranged `to extend' downwardly from substantially directly under each pocket of the brassire to the lower edge of thepanel. From this arrangement, it will be seen that definite and positive support for the breast is provided and that a substantially straight front panel is provided for the corset.

The rear panel b of the corset is composed of two half sections 18 and 19,V which are arranged side by side and designed to extend from des of the wearer to a point approximately at the upper portion of the hip bones. These sections 18 and 19 each have 85 side extensions 20 which form the sides of the corset, but which have their upper and lower edges cut away inwardly, as at a: and y, at points under the arms and over the hips, respectively. The side edges of these extensions 20 are secured 90 to the side edges of the front panel a to complete the corset. However, one of the side edges may be detachably connected by' fasteners 32.

'Ihe'a'djacent or opposing edges of the sections 18 and 19 .of the back panel b do not meet, but 95 downwardly converge from the upper edges, forming a V-shaped opening in the central portion of the panel. Along the opposing edges of the sections 18 and 19 are secured, or otherwise provided, plurality of laterally extending spaced straps 21 and 22 respectively, the straps from one section crossing the straps of the other section and each group of straps having their other ends secured to abdominal side b'elt portions 23 and 24.

These abdominal belt sections extend around the waist of the wearer from the back panel to a belt section 25 located exteriorly of the frontA panel section. This section 25 is preferably of Ihl. ample size or. area to well cover the ab 110 domen and is preferably shield shaped and stitched, as at a, to the front panel a, thus permanently locating the belt and preventing it from slipping out of place as well as reenforcing the corset at this point. The side belt sections 23 and 24 carry fasteners f, which will detachably cooperate with fasteners f' on the under side of the shield, as indicated in Figure 1. There may be two or more rows of fasteners j to permit the belt to be tightened or loosened conveniently to the requirements of the wearer.

It will be manifest that the corset portion of the garment will normally be made to t the figure, and that it will be tightened transversely about the body by the wearer drawing the side belt sections 23 and 24 forwardly, thus bringing the meeting edges of the back sections closer together, which draws the front panel close against the body. When the fasteners fand f of the belt sections are properly engaged, this also tends to further draw in the abdomen and hold it against protruding, thus giving the body a more youthful form. It will also be clear that the arrangement of the straps 21 and 22 is such that any pull on the side belt sections will be equal upon thel entire area of the corset, and that the belt sections are so positioned as to encircle the waist and give a definite waist line to the wearer. The corset sections are made of non-stretchable material and consequently have a definite constricting effect about the waist and abdominal regions.

The stays 17a and 17h, as well as the stays 17c and 17d positioned at the meeting edges of the back sections are confined in longitudinal pockets provided in the corset section, which pockets are opened at their ends. The stays are each provided with perforations at their end portions, which permit stitching to pass therethrough, so as to hold the stays in position, preventing them from punching through the corset material, but permitting them to be readily removed,when the garment is to be laundered,l

by merely clipping the stitchings.

In order to maintain upper portion of the corset and the brassire tight or in stretched position across the body, an elastic gore 26 is inserted in each of the cut-out portions :c and secured to the edges thereof, as can readily be seen from Figures 1 to 2.

The lower edge of the back panel b terminates at the upper portion of the hip bones, or just below the waist line, and is inwardly curved from corner to corner to conform to the adjacent con'- tour of the buttocks. Attached to this lower edge of the panel b is a substantially ovel-shaped section of elastic fabric 27 of dimensions and size to extend well over and about the buttocks, this elastic section being arranged so that it stretches only in a vertical direction with respect to the garment. From each side edge of the elastic seat section 27 extend forwardly around the body elastic hip panels 28 and 29, respectively, and having their adjacent edges seamed to the edges y of the back panel and the edges 14 of the downwardly extending projection l2 of the front panel. 'I'hese hip panels are of elastic fabric and stretchably only transversely of the garment.

A relatively narrow band of transversely elastic fabric 30 is secured to the lower edges of the sections 27, 28 and 29 and extends around the upper portion of the thighs of the wearer for maintaining of the parts of the garment in place. Thus, it will be seen that the sections 25, 26 and 27 form an elastic enclosure for the buttocks and hips, and due to their arrangement, as well as that of the band 30, and their respective stretchability, the wearer may assume a sitting or bending position with ease and comfort, yet keeping the hips and buttocks from spreading outwardly. and confining these parts to give a more natural shape and appearance. Furthermore, the arrangement of these sections permit bending and sitting and other movements of the bodv. while at the same time retain the garment in place, that is, preventing the garment from being pulled down too far on the body, or from moving up on the' body, as a result of those body movements.

It also will be observed that in order to give the seat portion 27 the proper contour, darts d may be made in its upper and lower portions. The garment, as a whole, is opened along one side, preferably along the side edges 31 of the front panel of the corset, the hip section 29 and the band 30 being correspondingly cut to form a continuation of this edge. Suitable fastenels 32, such as hooks and eyes, buttons, zipper, or the like, are provided along the edges of the adjacent parts, so that the garment may conveniently be donned and removed. In addition to the front hose supporters 13, additional hose supporters 13a may be provided along the lower edge of the elastic band 30.

It will thus be seen that a very practical foundation garment, comprising the combined features of a brassire, corset, hip and buttocks girdle and abdominal support, has been provided, which is very simple in construction, and economical to produce, yet very eicient for its purpose,

by giving the various parts of the body such support and confining other parts in such a manner that the body will be given a well-formed appearance, and that no ridges or lines will be visible through the skirt or dress, at or about the buttocks, or below the abdomen.

Having thus described the invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by United States Letters Patent, is:

l. A foundation garment, including a nonelastic corset portion to encircle the waist and abdominal portions of the body, a downwardly tapering extension projecting from the abdominal portion of the corset to a point about the crotch of the wearer, an elastic seat connected to and extending from the lower edge of the corset and formed to t and cover the buttocks, and elastic hip sections secured to the side edges of the seat portion and to the lower edges of the corset portion and its tapering extension, said elastic parts being stretchable in different directions with respect to each other.

2. A foundation garment, including a nonelastic corset portion toencircle the waist and abdominal portions of the body, a downwardly tapering extension projecting from the abdominal portion of the corset to a point about the crotch of the wearer, an elastic seat connected to' and extending from the lower edge of the corset and formed to fit and cover the buttocks, and elastic hip sections secured to the side edges of the seat portion and to the lower edges of the corset portion and its tapering extension, said elastic parts being stretchable in different directions with respect to each other, and an elastic band secured to the lower edges of said seat and hip sections and stretchable transversely ofthe garment.

3. A body encircling garment having spaced edges at the back of the garment, a pair of relatively wide belt sections to extend about the waist 150 at the sides of the wearer, respectively, a plurality of strips ilxedly secured to and extending from each of said spaced edges of said sections, the strips of one section crossing those of the other section and having their projecting ends, respectively, attached to the rear end of the adjacent belt section, the forward ends of said belt sections being relatively wide to extend a substantial distance on both sides of the waist line, and meam 4for detachably securing the relatively wide forward ends of the belt along their length to a front part of the garment, whereby when the belt portions are drawn forwardly and fastened, the spaced edges of said sections are each independently drawn together and the abdomen on opposite sides of the waist line is held in.

4. A body encircling garment including two sections, means for fastening contiguous edge portions of said sections whereby it may be opened and closed, the back portions of the said sections having their adjacent edges spaced apart at,

the center of the garment, aV pair of relatively wide belt sections to extend about the waist at the sides of the wearer, respectively, a plurality of strips fixedly secured to and extending from each of said spaced edges of said sections. the strips of one section crossing those of the other section and having their projecting ends, respectively, attached to the rear end of the adjacent belt section, the forward ends of said belt sectionsbeing relatively wide to extend a substantial distance on both sides of the waist line, and means for detachably securing the relatively wide forward ends of the belt along their length to a front part of the garment, whereby when the belt portions are drawn forwardly and fastened, the rear edges of said sections are each independently drawn together and the abdomen on opposite sides of the waistline is held in, said front portion terminating below the breast of the wearer and having v its upper edge cut away under the breast to oonform to the contour thereof, a brassire of nonstin'ened material secured to the edge of said cut away portion, elastic gore inserts arranged under the arm portions of the garment at the upper edge of the latter'and connected with the brassire to maintain it and the upper edge of the garment transversely taut when the garment is on the tvveareri and said beit section fastened in posi- 5. A .garment of elastic material adapted to extend from the waist to a point intermediate the thighs of the wearer and to iit the waist, buttocks and thighs and comprising an elastic seat section extending from the waist and stretchable only longitudinally with respect to the garment; other elastic sections extending forwardly from the sides of said section to t over and cover the hips and stretachable only transversely of the garment; and an elastic band forming the lower section of the garment and secured to the lower edges of `said seat and hip sections and adapted to contract the garment circumferentially at its lower end.

8. A unitary garment comprising a lower part of elastic material to flttedly encircle the body from the waist to the upper portion of the thighs,

a body-encircling part of non-stretchable material opened vertically at its back and having its edges spaced apart, a plurality of fixed straps projecting from each edge of the back opening inthe body part and crossing each other and projecting forwardly about the waist portion, a p air of relatively wide belt sections to extend substantially onl both sides of the waist line and having their rear ends attached to the free ends of adjacent straps, and means for detachably securing the forward ends of said belt sections at the front portion of the body portion to tighten the b'ody part about the body and hold in the abdomen.

' VIOLA MARLOW EA'I'MAN.

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